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Hashtag: Jose Antonio Rueda

  • Rueda storms from the back to win at Silverstone

    Rueda storms from the back to win at Silverstone

    Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) delivered a masterclass in comeback racing at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom, charging from the back of the grid to claim his third consecutive victory — and one of the most impressive of his career. The Spaniard, who had taken pole before being penalized for riding significantly more slowly on the racing line, joined an elite club of riders to win from last, standing alongside the likes of Marc Marquez (Valencia 2012, Moto2™), Brad Binder (Jerez 2016, Moto3™), and David Alonso (Silverstone 2023, Moto3™).

    Jose Antonio Rueda spraying Prosecco
    Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    What followed was a clinical ride through the chaos of a classic Moto3™ lead group. Rueda got a solid launch and was already picking off riders into Turn 1, while teammate Alvaro Carpe grabbed the holeshot. By Lap 3, the #99 was leading the second group, and by Lap 4 he’d bridged the gap and joined the freight train at the front. With five laps to go, Rueda had cracked the top five—and not long after, he was at the head of the pack.

    Still, he had to fight for the win. Rookie Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) impressed when he refused to back down, making it a thrilling final-lap showdown. The two went side-by-side through the final sector, with Quiles slightly wide at the final chicane. Rueda didn’t hesitate—diving up the inside and powering out of the last corner to snatch victory in a photo finish.

    “I took making the comeback calmly because I knew the front group wasn’t going to break away, and we also had good pace, so we were able to be patient and attack at the right time” – Jose Antonio Rueda

    Quiles, despite losing out by the narrowest of margins, still secured a stunning maiden podium in just his rookie season.

    Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the podium in third, bouncing back impressively from a Long Lap penalty for contact with David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) earlier in the race.

    A group of motorcycle racers on a race track
    Rob Gray (Polarity Photo)

    Just off the podium, Alvaro Carpe finished fourth ahead of fellow rookie Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), with David Almansa (Leopard Racing), Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) fifth and sixth respectfully. Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Vicente Perez (LEVELUP-MTA), and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounding out the top ten.

    A late incident involving Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) saw Piqueras crash out and Furusato hit with a Long Lap-equivalent 3 second time penalty. That moved home hero Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) up to P11, followed by Furusato in P12. Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE), and Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) all picked up points in the race.

    Title photo credit: Rob Gray (Polarity Photo)

  • Jose Antonio Rueda backflips to French GP glory

    Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) channeled his inner Johann Zarco and gave us a backflip backflip in Le Mans after a sensational last-lap victory in the Michelin Grand Prix of France.

    The #99 played it smart throughout the race, gradually moving through the lead group to sit third as the final lap began—just in time for chaos to erupt ahead of him.

    Jose Antonio Rueda, Moto3, French MotoGP, 10 May 2025 // Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505100429 // Usage for editorial use only //
    Photo Credit: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Intact GP) launched a bold late attack on race leader Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA), the two colliding and running wide in the final corner complex. Rueda seized the moment, sweeping past both to snatch a dramatic win.

    “I saw them go wide and just went for it,” he said. “You never know what can happen on the last lap in Moto3, so I stayed patient and it paid off. Winning at Le Mans like this feels incredible—this one is special.” – Jose Antonio Rueda

    Muñoz was later penalized for the incident and dropped to third, promoting Kelso to second. It was a significant result for Rueda in the title fight too, as key championship rival Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) crashed out mid-race.

    At lights out, rookie polesitter Max Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) got the best launch, battling Kelso for early supremacy. The Australian eventually took control by the end of the opening lap and set the pace from the front, as the typical Moto3™ slipstream shuffle played out behind.

    Photo Credit: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    The lead group eventually narrowed to Kelso, Muñoz, rookie Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and Rueda after Piqueras’ exit. Pini’s hopes ended in a sudden crash, leaving a three-way fight for the win, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in pursuit but just out of reach.

    Kelso kept things tidy up front and seemed on course for victory—until Muñoz launched his final-corner lunge. The resulting contact pushed both riders wide, and Rueda needed no second invitation to sweep into the lead and take the flag.

    Carpe came home fourth, narrowly missing out on the podium after the late drama, while David Almansa (Leopard Racing) led the second group to round out the top five. He was followed by Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), a fading Quiles, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), and Argentine rookie Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who secured a strong P10 finish for the French squad.

    Just outside the top ten were Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), with Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE), and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) all picking up points. Pini remounted to finish 17th, missing out on points but leaving France with plenty of attention after a standout qualifying and race showing.

    Feature image photo credit: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

  • Moto3: First Pole for Rueda in Portugal!

    Moto3: First Pole for Rueda in Portugal!

    From a hospital check up to pole position in a matter of hours. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) put it all on the line today in the Algarve to take his first career pole position in the Moto3 class.

    Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) starts from the middle of the front row tomorrow in 2nd and David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar Team) rounds off the front row in 3rd.

    AS IT HAPPENED

    Qualifying 1

    Some notable names as we headed into the Q1 session in Portimão. Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse),  Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets MSI) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) would be very keen to get into Q2 this afternoon.

    Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) at turn 5 went up the inside of Yamanaka and into a huge high side with the bike landing on top of the rider as the rest of the riders scattered left and right to avoid a collision. Rider thankfully ok after that one.

    Through the first time attacks it was Yamanaka at the top with a 1:47.979 followed by Nicola Carraro (LEVELUP – MTA), Farioli and rookie Angel Piqueras ( Leopard Racing).

    Back into the pits at the end of the first run, and with 4mins left of the session everything was still to play for to get through to Q2. Tatsuki Suzuki ( Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) continued to circle round on his Honda and managed to get up to 5th in the timings with just a minute remaining of the session.

    Piqueras and Carraro touched as the riders all came round the final corner to try and cross the line before the chequered flag. The majority of the field failed to beat the flag apart from Vicente Perez (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

    Perez delighted after timing his final run to perfection and managed to bump Piqueras out of the top 4.

    The top 4 heading through to Q2 were Yamanaka, Carraro, Farioli and Perez.

    Qualifying 2

    All of the riders in Q2 were keen to get out of the pits from the off in this 15 minute session. After the first time attacks Alonso was at the top of the timings but only just ahead of Rueda who was a tenth of a second shy from Alonso in 2nd.

    Last seasons race winner Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) punched into the 1:46s for the first time this weekend only to be topped by Rueda and Alonso as they crossed the line after their 2nd flying laps.

    The first attack at pole position sorted with several minutes left of the session the riders headed into the pits for some final changes. On provisional pole at this stage was Rueda with Alonso 2nd and Holgado 3rd rounding off the front row.

    Kelso straight out of the pits and on fire getting a massive toe from his teammate blasting down the straight to start his flying lap into turn 1. Kelso up half a second in sector 1 to carry through the rest of the lap. Into the rollercoaster turn 15 Kelso blasted over the line and into provisional pole with a mighty 1:46.438. Rueda and the rest behind had a lot of work to do here to beat Kelso.

    As the 2 Ajo KTM’s squabbled with each other, Alonso was pushing hard as Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) crashed out at turn 8. Fernandez was back up to his feet as Alonso crossed the line but only managed to get up to 2nd in the timings.

    The seconds ticked down and as the chequered flag waved everyone was fighting hard on their last chance at grabbing pole position. As Alonso finished just shy of Kelso by less than a tenth of a second Jose Antonio Rueda pulled out all of the stops to take his first Grand Prix pole position.

    A fantastic lap from Rueda and after finishing in 4th place in the race last season, Rueda will be confident of at least a podium tomorrow.

    Qualifying Classification

    Image Credit: MotoGP
    Image Credit: MotoGP

    Official Starting Grid

    Image Credit: MotoGP
    Image Credit: MotoGP